I am(Chartered Engineer V.H.Thomas based at Cochin,Kerala state,India)trying to document salient features of Kerala architecture as it exists today.Having designed and built hundreds of houses in different parts of Kerala state in India,I am using data collected by me and my exposure to Kerala Architecture by profession

Monday, June 30, 2008

BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOUSE IN KERALA

Architectural Guidance

TOPIC 1-BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOUSE IN KERALA

Step 1: Selection of Plot
If you do not have land of your own either inherited or acquired, you will have to purchase land for constructing your dream house. While choosing land suitable it is better to avail professional guidance to check suitability on account of
a) Soil nature
b) Statutory clearances and other building rules compatibility
c) Vasthu considerations
d) Level of land whether plain or sloped
e) Other architectural and technical considerations including shape and dimensions of the plot
Step 2: Legal Verification and Documentation
You have to verify the legal title of the property with the assistance of a lawyer experienced in civil cases
You also have to make enquiries with local administration authorities whether the land is frozen for any public projects or any other objections in constructing a house in that land is prevailing
Proper drafting of deed of purchase of property will have to be done to ensure that your title of property is clear and without any complications.
Step 3: Preparation of Basic plan of your Building
This is the most important part in the construction of your dream house
A real good plan can make your house real good with most appropriate design, effective space utilization, substantial savings in cost, good appearance
An improper plan literally make you waste the money spent on construction with many inconveniences and problems which you will start realizing after you move into the house. But that will be too late to do anything to improve or correct the damages
Always get your house plan prepared by an expert experienced Architect.
Step 4: Preparation of engineering estimate for your Construction
Costing is not as simple as multiplying the square feet area of your plan with some square feet cost which a non professional builder or contractor may quote to you
There is no common square feet cost for a building. Each building is different in material inputs, work involved, specifications, choices of owner and many other factors
You need an engineering estimate giving detailed costing for each part of the work involved quantified in engineering terms
A proper picture of the expected cost of construction along with various options to control costs should be ready before you start construction.

Step 5: Proper selection of Woodden or other types of Joinery
Wood used for your Joinery (Doors and Windows) are going to be part of your basic structure. Care should be taken with professional assistance to select good quality wood or other type of joinery.
Step 6: Structural Design of the Building
Steel reinforcements and concreted parts of your building are extremely vital for the stability of your building. Never leave it to a nonprofessional labour contractor to do as he pleases. It can be real harmful to your building and its long term stability. Get the design done by a qualified Structural Consultant and ensure that your builder follows it correctly.
Step 7: Proper selection of material used for Construction
Do not go by the advice of material suppliers or traders on quality of material to be used for Construction. Get professional guidance.
Step 8: Electrical and Plumbing works
An Architect can guide you on Electrical and Plumbing lay out for the building along with material to be used and proper installation of electrical and plumbing, fittings and equipments. Even while selecting fittings you need professional advice to choose the best within your budget among various options available.
Step 9: Painting
Painting is now an important part of Construction. It can change the appearance and inner good feelings as well as outer appearance of a building to great extent. Colour consultants are now available to guide you on colour selection. Your architect can guide you effectively in this.
Step 10: Flooring
We now have several options for appropriate flooring for your building. Depending upon your budget the best option for you can be selected with the assistance of a professional. Proper laying of the Flooring material is also equally important to obtain the best results
Step 11: Interior design and Interior work
A Proper Interior design can make lot of difference to utility, appearance and even the
moods and comforts of the inhabitants of the building. Get a professional Interior design and go for traditional Kerala hand carved interior woodden work if you can afford it.
Step 12: Compound wall, gate and other outside works
Compound wall need not be just a compound wall. It can be a designer compound wall adding value and beauty to your house. Even the gate, gate pillars can add value to your house if properly designed and done. Car porch Floor and drive way can be done with designer tiles.
Step 13: Landscaping
Landscaping deal with designing your outer space around the house in the most appropriate manner giving utility and appearance adding value to your house
Step 14: Other servicesYou have to keep the services of an Electrician and Plumber on call basis to meet any emergency requirement. It is preferable to have the same professional agency who have done your building as they alone will know details of the connections

24 comments:

MR THOMAS,I AM ZAMEERALI WORKING IN ABUDHABI.I AM LOOKING FOR AGOOD CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER TO BUILD MY HOUSE AT KANGARAPPADYN ERANAKULAM.AREA OF LAND IS 4 CENTS . PLEASE REPLY ME FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS

sir,I AM SANDEEP (TAX PRACTITIONER)AND I WANT TO BUILD SMALL HOUSE OF ABOUT 750 SQ.METER AT KOTHAMANGALAM ,ERNAKULAM AREA OF LAND 15 CENTS.PLEASE REPLY ME FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ALSO NOTE HOW TO CONTACT YOU?

sir,I AM REJI VARGHESE AND I WANT TO BUILD HOUSE OF ABOUT BETBEEN 1800AND 2000 SQ.METER AT PATHANAMTHITTA AREA OF LAND 15 CENTS.PLEASE REPLY ME FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ALSO NOTE HOW TO CONTACT YOU?

Hello Sir I am Varsh wking in Qarat planning to build a 2 storied 1000 sq ft low cost but traditionally fasionable house in Kollam , can I get more details and some modelsMail Id -- varshsathya1@gmail.comBudget up to eight lakhsflooring teracota, or tileshope u replyThxvarsh Sathyadevan

Im looking for a good house plan to construct a house in 15 cent land. My budget is 13 to 15 Lakhs. Kindly help me with your unique plans. I hope u will replyMy contact number is 09986828827.My email id is pritheshvm@gmail.com

Dear Thomas,Im looking for a good house plan to construct a house in My land. My budget is 10 to 12 Lakhs. Kindly help me with your unique plans. I hope u will replyMy contact number is 0097150-5096943My email id is gireemullachery@gmail.com

We are planning to build a traditional Kerala house in 16 cent of land in Guruvayoor, my budget is around 12 to 15 lakhs. Please help me with your valuable suggestion on its possibility. My email id is mini.sureshbabu@gmail.com

I have replied to Mini by email.Mr.Ravi has not given any email id and hence I could not reply.Instead of writing here,please mail me your queries as I do not check all blogs of mine(nearly 30) regularlyWrite to me to vhthomas@viruvelil.com

dear,thoams my name is badsha and iam a bcom graduate, we want to built a home in 1500sqft at 10 cent of land,our budget is 10 lakhs. can i get details and some modelsid; BADHDONHUH@gmail.commob;00919846443473

First of all plinth area of house will be known only after plan is prepared by your Architect.With present day costing building 1500 sft at Rs.10 lakhs will be difficult and you may require professional guidance for such drastic cost reduction.Write to me tovhthomas@viruvelil.comas by writing here you may not get quick response

Hi,My name is Shabana from QatarWould like to know a approximate cost of building a house of 1500 - 1800 Square feet. is it possible to make it as a single floor in 10 cents of land? Expecting your reply.

ShabanaRead my blog entries atwww.architectkerala.blogspot.comYou will get all relevant information you would like to have before commencement of construction of your houseWrite directly to my email idvhthomas@viruvelil.comto get more information,clarifications or assistance from meI check these blogs rarely and hence you may not get immediate reply if you wruite here

We r currently in U.A.E and wud like to make a 2 storeyed house (front side facing lake. We wud like to have 4 bedrooms, hall, dinning, kitchen, pooja room, attached bath for atleast 2 rooms. The total sq.ft we are planning ranges between 1500 - 2000. How much will be the budget for this project. Pls reply back to me with approx budget and if possible a rough plan or an idea whether rhis is possible along with ur contact #.My ID : dileepkumaraac@gmail.comRgdsDilip

Nadumuttom(Central court yard)

Traditional-Kerala Architecture

New Trends-Kerala Architecture

About Me

Born and brought up in Kerala State India Presently CEO of Viruvelil grooup of Companies,Cochin,India Have developed new Architectural style for Kerala Houses with all goodness of traditional Kerala Architecture combined with modern technology and innovations Designed and built hundreds of houses in Kerala You can reach me at 00 91 9388701702,00 91 9388701700vhthomas@viruvelil.com orvhthomas@eth.net